YEAR

RotaryGram Brief July 16, 2008 * Vol. 97, No. 51

PROGRAM PREVIEW JULY 16TH

MEET LAMAR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH Introduction by Athletics Director Billy Tubbs

Ray Woodard, a 20-year coaching veteran with 12 years of college experience, was named the eighth football coach at by President James Simmons and Athletic Director Billy Tubbs on June 19, 2008.

Woodard, 46, has spent the past three seasons at Navarro College – the first two as the defensive coordinator and last season as head coach. His 2007 squad went 9-3 and advanced to the conference playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Navarro finished the year ranked fourth in the NJCAA national poll. For his efforts, Woodard was named the SWJCFC Coach of the Year.

His first experience at the NCAA level came in 1998 when he was the defensive line coach at Louisiana-Lafayette. From 1988-95 Woodard was the defensive coordinator at Kilgore College and recruited more than 200 Texas high school student-athletes.

He spent three years as the defensive coordinator for the from 2000-03 – his second stint with an NFL Europe franchise across the pond. Woodard’s other professional coaching experience came as the general manager/head coach for the Outlaws (1999-2000) of the and defensive coordinator of the Frankfurt Galaxy (1996-97) of NFL Europe and the Texas Terror (1996) of the .

Woodard also had a very successful playing career, from his days at Corrigan-Camden HS to Kilgore college and the University of Texas under Coach Fred Akers to five years in the NFL. Woodard was selected in the 1984 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers. He spent the next five seasons with the Chargers, Denver Broncos and . He was a member of the Broncos’ 1986 AFC Champion and Super Bowl team.

A Lufkin native, Woodard received his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and History from Sam Houston State University in 1988 and his master’s in education from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1991. Woodard is married to the former Penne Stridel. The couple was married in March 1982, and has one daughter, Jessica. Dr. Steve Doblin, Lamar Provost arranged today’s program.

1 RG Brief, July 16, 2008, Vol. 97, No. 51 JULY 16TH HEAD TABLE and LUNCH MENU * Invocation, Gerald Condon, Collision & Classics, Inc. *Pledge, Jack Koch, Beaumont Metropolitan YMCA *Introduction of Guests, Cy Jenkins, Pine Forest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

*Elegante Menu will be Pork food selections*

Amelia Little League Project

Don’t forget members, if you signed up to work the Amelia Little League Project, it will be July 19th. The work begins at 6:00am. Just a reminder, lunch is included.

ATTENTION NEW MEMBERS

Just as a reminder, points are earned towards your blue badge by participating in events such as the Amelia Little League Project and any other Service Projects

■ UPCOMING PROGRAMS______July 16 – New Lamar Football Coach Ray Woodard introduced by Billy

Tubbs July 23 – “NEW ROTARY INITIATIVES” Rotary University & Club Runner; Marvin Dunnam Memorial Resolution

July 30 – The Plant Doctor, Dr. Dennis

Franklin August 6 – OPEN August 13 – OPEN August 20 – OPEN

“PAST PRESIDENT’S MINUTE” (REFLECTIONS OF DAYS-GONE-BY) Robert Robertson – July 16th Charles Locke – July 23rd

“ROTARIAN OF THE DAY” Ken Arola – July 16th

2 RG Brief, July 16, 2008, Vol. 97, No. 51 ■ LOOKING AHEAD ______August 21st – “30 Something” meeting

at Verlo Mattress Factory st Week of October 1 – “Rotary Goes Home” (offsite). Contact Vernon Pierce to host evening dinner in your home for club members during this week.

November 19th – “Rotary Goes to

Work” (offsite). Contact John Weitzel to host club members at your workplace. November 26th – No meeting December 24th – No meeting December 31st – No meeting

“A WORD FROM DOWN UNDER”…….

Our Ambassadorial Scholar Jenna Davis and her husband Joel has sent her first report from Perth, Western Australia. Her studies in Social Entrepreneurship are going very well. She states she has achieved a “High Distinction” mark in her classes, which in America equates to an “A”. She’s excited about joining a Business Plan Competition that her University is putting on specifically designed for Social Entrepreneurs. Their task is to come up with the most “brilliant” Social Entrepreneurial Business Plan and she will pitch it to a panel of judges in September. She talks about many speaking engagements she has given to various Rotary clubs in the area. She’s very touched by the hospitality and warmth she has received by her Host club, Mill Point Rotary Club. For those who would like to contact Jenna to see how she’s doing, her e-mail address is [email protected]. When she returns in December, she will fill us in on all the details.

PROGRAM REVIEW FOR JULY 9TH

Our speaker this week was our New Rotary President Jim Rich. The program focused on Jim’s vision and plans for the upcoming Rotary year. Jim introduced the new Officers and Directors who were sworn in by Past President Alex Broussard. Alex asked all the club members to stand up to be sworn in also. Jim informed Rotary members that there would be several changes to our weekly format; “The Past President’s Minute” – where former Rotary Presidents will reflect on their memories of days-gone-by. “The Rotarian of the Day” – for a donation of $100 this allows a Rotarian to sit at the Head Table and provide the members with a 60 second infomercial. Jim decided that he would do the “4-Way Test” at the end of the meeting instead of the beginning so Rotarians could take that with them in thought. Jim introduced the Officers and new Directors for 2008-2009; Officers – Kevin Roy, Bessie Chisum, Van Greer, Stephanie Williams & Lee Freeland. Directors – Chad Blanchard, Vernon Pierce, Brian Schlesinger and Uliana Trylowsky. Jim even had a “Programs Teaser” that was all about Programs, upcoming and future events. Finally, Jim challenged ALL members to do their part in making Rotary Better!!!!

3 RG Brief, July 16, 2008, Vol. 97, No. 51